Do Turkish nursing and midwifery students teach breast self-examination to their relatives?

To describe health beliefs and breast self-examination (BSE) practice of Turkish female nursing and midwifery students and assess teaching of BSE to their mothers, sisters, relatives.

The study was designed as a definition survey, withe data obtained from 113 participants, in third and fourth class and their mothers, sisters, relatives in Turkey. Data were collected by using a personal data form, knowledge evaluation form for BSE (Maurer 1997) and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale.

Students had learned about breast cancer and BSE in their lessons one or two years previous to the study. Knowledge level scores of the students were 52.3 ∓ 9.63 (min:25, max: 75). Rate of regular BSE was 32.7%. When health belief scale assessed, the average susceptibility was 7.52∓2.62, seriousness was 21.8∓5.30, benefit was 16.7∓4.45, barrier was 22.3∓6.44, confidence was 40.3∓6.67 and medical motivation was 26.6∓4.22. A statistically significant difference in the rate of having regular BSE and benefit, barrier scores was noted (p<0.05). Regarding BSE training, 91.3% (n = 106) gave assistance to their mother and sisters, 42.6% (n = 48) to relatives, 6.2% (n = 7) to friends, and 5.4% (n = 6) to patients.

Knowledge about breast cancer and BSE repetition training programs should be planned for nursing/midwifery students. Their susceptibility, belief and attitudes, medical motivation with BSE should thereby increase.